Charles spiro



(No Model.)

C. SPIRO.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE. No. 445,333. Patented Jan.27,1891.

CHARLES SPIRO, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

SPECFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 445,333, dated January 27', 1891.

Application filed February 19, 1890. Serial No. 341,019. (No model.) Patented in England November 28, 1889, No. 19,138.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES SPIRO, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York, State ot' New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-friting Ma chines, (for which I have obtained Letters Patent in Great Britain, No. 19,138, dated November28, 1889,) of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This inwvention relates to type-writers, and has particular reference to an automatic ribbon-feed and an improved type-bar bracket, the whole being an improvement upon the invention disclosed in my application, Serial No. 319,736, iiled August 5, 1889.

The principal objects of the invention are to minimize the cost of manufacture and at the saine time retain all the advantages of the previous construction and secure others in addition.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is principally a vertical section with parts in side elevation of the principal elements of a typewriting machine in which are embodied my improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan of the pattern or blank of one of two ink-ribbon-carrying standards. Fig. 3 is a plan of the inkribbon guard which is applied portion of each standard. Fig. l is a perspective of a sheet-metal pawl. Fig. 5 represents in detail a portion of one of the standards and the pawl-supporting bolt or pivot. Fig. G is a side elevation of a portion of a type-bar and its supporting-bracket. Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the bracket and typebar, the section-line passing through the center of the pivot; and Fig. 8 is a plan showing the ink-ribbon in position on the tables of the standards.

Like letters referto like parts in all the figures.

A represents any suitable base; B, a keylever; C, a universal bail extending along under the entire series of key-levers et the inaehine, D, the rod, against which the keylevers are drawn by springs E, so as to pivot on the rod D.

F represents the platen ofthe machine, and G the type-bar-supporting platform mounted to the table4 on posts G,projecting upwardly from the base in front of the platen.

The universal bail C, mounted on the crossshaft C', 1s extended toward the front o1' the machine, so as to admit of the attachment thereto of a ribbon standard on each side thereof, in this instance by screws H', so that at each depression of a key an oscillatory movement will be communicated to the upper end or the table portion of each of the standards H for the purpose of throwing a portion of the ink-ribbon over the printing-point at on the platen and between the platen and the type x', and to do this at an instant before the type reaches the platen and to return or withdraw the ink-ribbon from 'said position,

so as to expose each and every impression of a type immediately after it is made, and thereby to render the machine capable of doing what is knownas visible printing.

Each of the standards H is of such a conformation as to be capable of manufacture by the use of dies, thereby reducing the cost of manufacture. A suitable sheet-metal is by dies or other equivalent tools cut to the form shown in 2, or in substantially said form. The blank is then folded on the dotted line fy, so as to dispose the end or table portion at substantially a right angle to the body of the standard. Preferably before such folding the standard is punched to form an ob-` long hole H2, a slot H3, and a ribbon-groove H4, and, if desired, superfluous metal may be removed by forming an opening H5, thereby reducing the weight and therefore the momentum of the table when in operation.

I, Figs. 1 and 3, is the ribbon-guard and tension-spring, which is secured to the under surface of each of the tables by rivets l, passing through holes H?, formed in the table, and holes l2, formed in the guard. The guard conforms in its outline in all substantial respects with the table, and has in addition thereto an entension l, which rests beneath the ribbon, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 8, and over the paper on the platen F, thereby preserving the paper from becoming smeared with ink, and when the ribbon J is arranged in the slots Hs and guides HL ot' the tables the guards, being resilient, yieldingly press upward against the ribbon, so as to clasp the IOO same between themselves and under the sur- 'face of the table, vand thus maintain the ribbon in a smooth condition between the tables and at a point where the type comes in contact therewith. The purpose of the slots H3 is to prevent buckling or wrinkling of the ribbon upon the tables in such movements thereof as occur when the ribbon is withdrawn from over the printing-point.

K represents an ink-ribbon spool having operatively connected therewith a ratchet K. There are two of these spools employed, one being arranged on each side of a standard L, projecting upwardly from the base of the machine, and the operation is such that when one spool is being employed to wind up the ribbon the other spool pays it out, and these functions of the spools are automatically changed when au end of the ribbon is reached, there being given to the ribbon a step-by-step movement during the operation of the machine. This movement is caused by the action of a pair of' pawls M, only one of which is shown. These pawls consist of a piece of sheet metal having its heel M', Fig. 4, formed by bending a portion at right angles to the body of the pawl. The heel is apertured, as at M2 for the passage of the pivot, and as at M2, for the reception of the end of a spring M4, which is secured to the outside of the standard H, and has a tendency to keep the point of the pawl in contact 'with the ratchet K.

N, Fig. 5, represents the pivot-bolt, which has a T-bar N on the under surface of its head N2. This T-bar is shorter than the hole H2 in the standard H, so that the pivot may be fixed in the hole at different .points to cause the pawl to travel over al greater or lesser number of teeth ofthe ratchet K in order to adjust the distance of the step-by-step movement of the ink-ribbon. A nut N3 is rabbetcd to form the bearing N4, on which the pawl M is mounted, the end of the nut abutting against the standard H, and serving, in connection with the threaded portion of the pivot-bolt, to firmly bind the pivot in an adjusted position within the hole H2. A tie-bar O is mount-ed in holes O', formed in each standard, and serves to preserve their parallelism when they are mounted on the extension of the bail C.

It now remains to describe the means employed for automatically throwing a pawl M out of contact with a ratchet K and sim ultaneously throwing the companion pawl into contact with the companion ratchet at the time when an end of the ink-ribbon is reached,

. or, in other Words,when the inking-ribbon is completely or nearly unwound from one of the spools and wholly or nearly wholly wound upon the opposite spool. To produce this operation the ribbon J is conducted over a wire P, which extends through and at right angles to andy beyond the upright rod Q,

mounted in the standard L, a set-screw P" serving to retain the wire in the rod. This Vrod has a flange or collar P2, which rests upon the upper face of the standard.V Near the lower end of the rod Q there is another wire R, extending at right angles from the rod to and against the end of detents R, which are pivot-ed, as at R2, to the standard and provided at their free ends with an incline R3 and a notch R4, the latter adapted to receive the wire R when the rod Q is turned by means of the wire P at its top. A tlat spring R5 is Secured to the lower end of the rod and eX- tends beneath each of the detents R and has a tendency to lift them. Immediately above the notch R* is the tooth RG of the detent, which is intended to mesh with vthe teeth of the ratchet K of the spool K, whichV is serving to wind up the ink-ribbon. In Fig. l the spool K is represented in position to wind up the ink-ribbon, the pawl M operating the ratchet at the top and the detent R' preventing a backward movement of the ratchet and spool. It will be noticed that the pawl M is bent at M5, so as not to be thrown out of operation with the ratchet K during the oscillations of the standards H, while the wire P is in the position shown in Fig. l. Now assume that the end of the ribbon is being approached, or, in other words, that the ribbon is very nearly unwound from the opposite spool to that shown in Fig. 1, and it will be seen that a tension is exerted on the ribbon between the spindle of the spool and the slot H2 of the table opposite to that shown in Fig. l, and this tension takes effect on the end of the wireP opposite to that end shown in Fig. l to such an extent as to draw that end of the wire toward the platen, and consequently the opposite free end of that wire (seenin Fig. l) away from the platen and against the under surface of the pawl M and at the point M5, where it is bent, so that said pawl is lifted out of operative position with the ratchet K. At the other end of the wire P the opposite pawl is dropped into position with the opposite ratchet K. Simultaneously the Wire R at the lower end of the rod Q is swung away from the platen up the incline R3 and into the notch R4, whereby the detent R and its tooth R6 are forced away from the ratchet K (shown in Fig. 1,) the spring R5 permitting the resulting depression of the free end of the detent. The opposite end of the wire R is removed from the notch of the opposite detent and down its incline R3, so. that the opposite end of the spring R5 lifts the detent into mesh with the opposite ratchet. In this manner when either end of the inking-ribbon is reached the directinn of its step-by-step movement is automatically changed.

It now remains to describe the construction of the type-bar bracket, whereby cheapness in manufacture and strength and long service are secured. The type-bar S is hushed, as at S', with steel or an7 other desired longwearing material, and the bushing is countersunk to form a bearing in the nature of a socket on each side. The bracket T is pro- IOO IIO

vided with a single standard T', which is bored, as at T2, for the reception of ascrew or bolt, and has raised on its inner surface an annular bearing T3, which is convex in crosssection in the natu-re of a ball-bearing, and is therefore adapted to lit the socket of the type-bar.

U represents the bolt or screw, which fits the aperture T2 in the single standard T', and which bolt is provided on the under surface of its head with a convex bearing U', adapted to fit the socket of the type-bar. Thebracket is slotted at its base, as indicated by dotted lines T4 in Fig. 7, for adjustable connection to the bracket-platform G by means of the screws V. This platform is also apertured, as at G2, for the passage of the wires or ligaments for a front series of type-bars. Forming the bracket with-a single leg or standard gives access for the operation of machinetools in the construction of the bearing. In all the various parts of the machine hereinbefore described dies and machinery for the construction of the parts can be used, insuring not only cheapness of manufacture, but uniformity and interchangeability of parts.

One of the main features of the type-bar bracket is` that comparatively large stiff screws or bolts U can be employed, While the bearing itself, the most sensitive part of a type-Writing machine, is large and capable of long service and is subject to uniform Wear, whereby the alignment of the machine is rendered more permanent and not affected by any irregularity of the under surface or the base of the bracket or of the upper surface of the plat-form to which it is secured, as the bars are subjected to a preparatory jigging while in position on the platform to bring their bearings to a Wearing-surface. On reference to Fig. 7 it will be observed that I leave a space surrounding the pivot-bolt between its head and the adjacent Wall of the bracket to permit of adjustment to compensate for Wear and to guard against frictional bearing or Wearing of the parts by any dirt or foreign substances that might accidentally find ingress thereinto.

That l claim as new is- 1. A standard for a ribbon-carrier having integral tables terminating in diagonal edges provided with a ribbon-guiding slot passing vertically through the table, substantially as specified.

2. A ribbon-carrier standard having an integral table provided With transverse ribbonreceiving slot and a diagonally-transverse ribbon-guide, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, with the universal bail of a type-writing machine, of a ribbon-carrier formed of two standards, each having a table provided with a ribbon-guide and a ribbonreceiving slot, substantially as specified.

4;. In a ribbon-carrier, standards having tables and guards secured to the tables and projecting from the tables toward the printing-point, substantially as specified.

5. In a ribbon-carrier, the combination of slotted tables having ribbon-guides and an adjustable tension-plate bridging the ribbon for keeping the ribbon on the table free from wrinkles, substantially as specified.

6. The spool-feeding pawl formed of sheet metal and having its head bent to an angle from and in a vertical plane with its body and perforated for the reception of a pivot and also for a spring, substantially as specified.

'7. A pawl formed of sheet metal and havin g at one edge an integral angularly-disposed head perforated for a pivot and having its body portion bent between said head and its free end, substantially as specified.

S. The combination, with a ribbon-carrier standard having an elongated aperture, of a pawl and a paivl-pivot having a T-head fitted to the opening of the standard and means for connecting the paWl and pivot with the standard, substantially as specified.

9. The combination, with a ribbon-carrier standard having an elongated opening, of a pawl, a T-headed screw-threaded pivot, and a shouldered nut, substantially as speciiied.

10. The combination, with ribbon-spools and a ribbon-carrier, of a paWl-and-ratchet mechanism, the pawls of Which are adjustably connected to the carrier, substantially as specified.

11. The combination, with the paWl-andratchet mechanism of the ribbon-spools, of detents having inclined or beveled free ends, a spring having a tendency to raise said detents, and an oscillating shaft having arms for depressing said detents, substantially as specified.

12. The combination, with the paWl-andratchet mechanism of the ribbon-spools, of a ribbon-carrier pivotally supporting the pawls and provided with springs for keeping the points of the pawls in contact with the ratchets, and a vertical shaft having arms arranged between the carrier and the ratchets and operating to lift the pawls in opposition to the spring, substantially as specified.

13. The combination of a type-bar, a single-armed type-bar bracket, and a pivot, With a space surrounding said pivot, substantially as specilied.

14. A type-bar bracket comprising a single standard having a projecting bearing, a typebar having projecting bearings, and a pivotbolt having a bearing agreeing with that of the typebar, With a space surrounding the bearings, substantially as specied.

15. A type-bar bracket comprising a single standard having a projecting convex bearing, a type-bar formed with a socket to receive said bearing, and a bolt passed through the bearings and socket, with a head conforming to the socket with separated bearings, substant-ially as specified.

16. The combination, with the type-bar bracket having a single standard bored and having raised annularbearing convexin crosssection, of the type-barbushed as shown and IOO aboli; for uniting `the parts passed through thesaine, with the bolt portion free of the bushing, substantially as specified.

17. The Combination, with Ithe type-bar bracket having slotted base, of the type-bar, the transverse bolt, and a ball-and-Soeket oonneetion between the type-bar bracket and bolt, substantially as specified.

18. 1n a ribbon-carrier, the Combination of slotted tables having ribbon-guides and an adjustable tension-plate conforming substan tially to the Shape of the tables for keeping the ribbon on the tables free from wrinkles,

substantially as specified.

19. In a rbbon-carrier, the combination o`f'1j5 Slotted tables having ribbon-guides and an adjustable tension-plate conforming substantially to the shapek of the tables mounted thereon and bridging the ribbon for keeping the same on the table free' from Wrinkles, sub- 2o Stantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES SPIRO.

Tit-messes: Y

J. FREUDENTHAL, JULIUS E. LEVY. 

